In a significant policy shift, Canada is set to reduce new permanent resident admissions by 21%. Discover the factors influencing this change and its effects on future immigrants.
On Thursday, Canada announced a considerable reduction in its immigration targets to “pause population growth,” marking a shift that coincides with declining public support for immigration.
The announcement follows a significant population increase in Canada, which has reached 41 million largely due to an unprecedented influx of new arrivals.
The immigration ministry had earlier intended to allow 500,000 new permanent residents to settle in the country during 2025 and 2026.
However, the revised targets were reduced to 395,000 for next year and 380,000 for 2026. The target set for 2027 is now at 365,000.
The term “Japa” is commonly used by young Nigerians to refer to the phenomenon of migrating from Nigeria to other countries. Popular destinations for these youths include Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
According to the immigration ministry, the aim of the plan is to temporarily halt population growth in order to ensure well-managed and sustainable development over time.
“Our economy clearly benefits from newcomers, but we recognize the pressures facing our country and need to adjust our policies accordingly,” stated Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
According to the ministry, the plan also seeks to alleviate pressure on housing, as Canadians continually identify rental and home ownership costs as a major concern.
The ministry attributed the influx of immigrants to assisting the Canadian economy in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic without slipping into a recession.
A survey conducted last month by the Environics Institute on public attitudes toward immigration revealed that, for the first time in 25 years, a clear majority of Canadians believe there is an excessive amount of immigration.
According to the survey, 58% of Canadians think that the country accepts too many immigrants, representing a 14 percentage point increase from 2023.
AFP
